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Apple Files for OLED Keyboard Patent

Posted by ScuttleMonkey on from the prior-art dept.

pegdhcp writes to mention that Apple has applied for a patent on a 'dynamically controlled keyboard' with OLED keys. This may seem remarkably familiar, since an OLED keyboard has been bandied about by Art Lebedev studios for quite a while now. "while the Optimus Maximus is a bit expensive, Apple could certainly mass-produce something similar for less money, perhaps bringing the price into reality for most users. Lebedev has, however, apparently applied for several patents for the Optimus, so it's unclear just what Apple is up to, or what would happen if the company were ever to release such a product."

7 of 188 comments (clear)

  1. Sure... by denmarkw00t · · Score: 4, Funny

    I'd like a keyboard like the Optimus [PRIME!!!!!] but, really, if I paid less because Apple did it a different way, I probably wouldn't be nearly as happy as with the Optimus. I mean, if its anything like a Newton, we amy have evry odd transplations, write?

    Also, first post (hopefully!>)

  2. Re:May the best idea win... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    (patents aren't for ideas, but particular implementation, right?) Shhhh!! You can't say stuff like that on slashdot. This inconvenient fact happens to invalidate 99% of all the "arguments" that come up against whatever software patent is reported on every other week on slashdot.
  3. Plan all along by edwardpickman · · Score: 5, Funny

    1.Come up with a plan for a keyboard we can't build but is so cool some one will want to.

    2.Sue first company to actually try to build keyboard.

    3.Profit!

    Now wait'll some one tries to knock off Duke Nuke Em Forever!

  4. Epic leet by xx01dk · · Score: 2, Funny

    I'm going to run my Optimus in stealth mode.

    --
    There is simply too much glass..
  5. Re:Idea 30 years old - Arthur C. Clarke got there by balloonhead · · Score: 2, Funny

    My idea is one further. My new patented keyboard has one button and the software works out what letter it is that you mean to press each time.

    --
    This idea was invented by Shampoo.
  6. Re:Another reason... by Angostura · · Score: 2, Funny
    To summarize:

    I suppose it would be the perfect keyboard if I was on OS X
  7. Re:apple fanboys by dfghjk · · Score: 2, Funny

    Love to see an example of that. LCD main displays in notebooks are barely 15 years old and color ones not even that.

    I guess if you're going to say something stupid it might as well be really stupid.